Ros’ rue early misses as Mayo issue bold statement
The Mayo League squad celebrate their 4-1 win against Roscommon and District in Sunday's regional decider of the Oscar Traynor Cup. They will now enjoy home advantage again for their next game in the national stage of the competition. Pictures: Michael Donnelly
After weathering an early Roscommon storm, Mayo managed to find their feet and put their visiting opponents to the sword last Sunday, sealing top spot in their group, the Oscar Traynor Connacht Cup, and a home draw in the next round of the competition.
Roscommon had the hosts under pressure for the majority of the first 25 minutes, with Josh McCarthy having the game’s opening chance after taking on Ioseph O’Reilly but his tame shot was straight at Mayo goalkeeper Stefan Hester. Just shy of the ten minute mark, Cian Kelly used his pace and flair to beat Harrison Quinn down the right and his dangerous cross looped over Hester, but McCarthy spurned the golden chance with his shot hitting Hester, who didn’t know all that much about it.
Roscommon, continuing to push but without any luck, also had Ryan Larkin rattle the underside of the crossbar with a rasping volley which had calls that the ball had crossed the line, but the sluggish Mayo side had their blushes spared.
Mayo’s only chance inside the first twenty was a half-chance at best, with Jamie Cawley firing wide amidst the chaos of a corner-kick. Against the run of play however, in the 26th minute, Ben Edeh would open the scoring for the home side.
Jamie Cawley’s run and take on of Jack O’Beirne down the left saw him inside the area and while the Ballina winger spurned his shot, Ballyheane’s Edeh was able to rifle home the opener. Darren Browne had a couple of strikes outside the area that led to little but Mayo would double their advantage less then ten minutes from the half-time whistle. Adam Nugent’s curled finish to the bottom right oozed composure, with Ben Edeh turning provider this time as it was his through ball that allowed the Westport forward to score.
The third quarter was a quiet one for both sides, with Mayo mostly retaining possession of the ball. However, all changed just before the 60th minute when Jamie Cawley lit up the left hand side. His run into the area seemed to have taken him too wide, but he squared the ball perfectly for Darren Browne who slid in to roll the ball home and put Mayo three up. Cawley created a chance for himself shortly after, cutting in from the left but after getting around Roscommon netminder Adam McManus, an outstretched defender’s leg blocked his shot.
Roscommon struck a goal of their own – their first of the tournament – five minutes after Mayo’s third, when their substitute Callum Andrews latched on to a ball through the middle, and like Adam Nugent earlier, controlled it well and slotted past Stefan Hester to make it 3-1. Hester would make a remarkable save to keep the scoreline at that in the 78th minute, denying Rian Carpenter what would have been a stunning goal as Hester reached out to his left with a dive and palmed the ball across the goal. The unfortunate news was that the Castlebar shot-stopper suffered an injury and had to be replaced by Gary Cunningham for the last ten minutes.
The shine on the performance was added through substitute midfielder Dylan McKee, as from the edge of area just left of goal he dragged his shot along the deck where it nestled into the bottom right corner.
Seeing out the game’s closing stages, Mayo made sure they would be the Connacht side topping the group, claiming the trophy, and playing at home in the next stage of the Oscar Traynor competition.
Mayo League: Stefan Hester, Cillian McGlade (c), Harrison Quinn, Ioseph O’Reilly, Cillian Redmond, Oran Groarke, Jamie Cawley, Cillian White, Adam Nugent, Darren Browne, Ben Edeh. Subs: Dylan McKee (for White 57), Jack O’Connor (for Nugent 70), Gary Cunningham and Cormac Caulfield (for Hester (inj) and Browne 81), Dan Duffy (for Redmond 87).
Roscommon League: Adam McManus, Jack O’Beirne, Jack Higgins, Darren Foley, Jake McCrann, Cathal Horan, Ryan Larkin, Rian Carpenter, Josh McCarthy, Cian Kelly, Adam Farrell. Subs: Callum Andrews (for Farrell 56), Daniel Connolly (for McCarthy 70), Sean Conlon (for McManus 73), James Byrne (for Larkin 74), Gerry Ward (for Kelly 86).
